Full-Day Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Tour from Girdwood

Head into Alaska's backcountry on a private guided ski or snowboard outing. Your guide chooses the terrain using snow conditions, weather and avalanche forecasts, tailoring the day to your ability rather than following a fixed route.

• Explore mountain terrain around Turnagain Pass, Summit Pass or Hatcher's Pass, depending on conditions
• Tour through alpine hemlock and spruce forests with mountain vistas along the way
• Make more than one backcountry run on a typical full-day outing, when conditions and your pace allow

Itinerary

8:30 AM - Meet up with your guide and go over equipment & your backcountry gear for the day. 9:00 AM - Departure Time from Girdwood 9:30 AM - Arrival Time to Turnagain Pass Location 9:45 - 10:15 AM - Outfitted with Personal Backcountry Equipment, Beacon Check, Safety Brief 10 - 3:30 PM - Backcountry Ski Tour into Turnagain Pass 4:00 PM - Return to Girdwood Departure Time and Length of Backcountry Ski Outing are subject to change based on the Guide's Discretion, guest fitness & strength & the Weather Outlook for the day

What's Included

• Professional American Avalanche Association guides with local knowledge

Important details

• Ages 12+ only
• Sign the liability release, waiver and assumption-of-risk agreement before departure. Backcountry travel involves risk, and you remain responsible for your own safety
• Follow your guide's safety instructions throughout the outing
• Backcountry equipment and lunch are not included. Bring all required gear and test your boots, skis or snowboard, skins and bindings before the tour
• Wear wool or synthetic clothing only; no cotton. Bring ski socks, underwear, base-layer top and bottoms, a waterproof shell jacket with a helmet-compatible hood, and waterproof ski pants with boot gaiters and zippered vents. A belt or suspenders is required if you carry your avalanche beacon in your pants
• Bring an insulated hooded jacket, two pairs of gloves for uphill touring and downhill skiing, and a warm hat and neck or face covering that covers your ears. For cold winter conditions, bring two insulated jackets, insulated pants and warm mittens
• Bring a ski helmet, sunglasses and ski goggles with low-light and sunny-condition lenses
• Bring a 30–35-liter backpack large enough to carry everything inside, including your probe, shovel and water bottles
• Bring alpine touring skis or a splitboard with compatible boots and bindings, fitted climbing skins with tail clips, poles with snow baskets, and at least one ski strap. Adjust binding fit and release settings before arrival
• Your avalanche beacon must have three antennas, be less than 10 years old and have current software updates. Bring spare batteries with their ends covered with electrical tape, a probe at least 280 cm long and a quality non-plastic avalanche shovel
• Bring 2 liters of water in wide-mouth bottles and a thermos, rather than a hydration system with a drinking hose. Pack lunch, food for the day and a little extra
• Bring a headlamp with spare batteries, sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher, and any personal medications. Disclose relevant medical information before setting out
• For spring and summer tours, apply climbing-skin treatment before the trip
• Do not bring drones
• Complete the skier survey before the tour so the day can be tailored to your ability and experience
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before check-in with all your equipment